Bakersfield College men’s tennis team lost their seventh straight game, falling by an overall score of 7-2 against American River College on Mar. 13. American River won five of the six singles matches and took two of three doubles matches. With the loss, BC’s record dropped to 4-8 (win-loss).
Whereas singles matches are played in a best-of-three format, doubles pairs play one set that goes to eight points. The most entertaining match in the doubles side came from the #1 pair. BC’s Filip Novacek and Sebastian Junghanns defeated American River’s Enrique Silveira and Gavin Sonntag 8-5. The intensity in this match reached its peak midway through the match, when the teams argued about the interference of another match ball interrupting play on the court. After the dust settled, Novacek and Junghanns fed off the Beavers’ coaching staff anger to take the match.
In the #2 pair, BC’s Chin-Chang Wu and Brett Yackovich were defeated by Spencer Hill & Arjun Sivakumar 8-5. The score does not indicate how close the Renegades were at winning a couple more points to take the match.
On to singles, where BC had a tough outing on the court. While four of the five BC defeats were on straight sets, the top two singles players put up a great fight.
In the #1 singles pair, Sonntag got his revenge against Novacek, as he won 2-6, 7(7)-6(3), 10-8. It was a gut-wrenching defeat for Novacek, as he did not seem to lose an ounce of energy despite having played two intense matches.
The #2 singles match brought the only victory for the home team, when Yackovich beat Silveira in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5. Yackovich’s strong serve and great forehand shots allowed him to prevail and rescue a win for the ‘Gades.
With the ensuing defeat to Irvine Valley College on Mar. 15, BC’s season is going on a spiral downfall as the season nears the end. Their next home match will be against Glendale on Mar. 21. Here’s to hoping the Renegades turn the tide around and go on a winning streak to close out the season.